Philippine Environmental Planning

Environmental Laws/Issues in the Philippines

Thursday, January 8, 2015

New Environmental Planning Law upgrades qualification of standards for planners in government service

Posted on 1/7/2015

Manila,
January 7, 2015 --- Recognizing the importance of environmental
planning in nation building and development, the Professional Regulatory
Board of Environmental Planning reiterates the provisions of the newly
adopted "Environmental Planning Act of 2013" (R.A. No. 10587) in the
appointment of positions requiring the knowledge, skills, competence and
qualifications of registered and licensed environmental planners.

According to Board of Environmental Planning Resolution No. 03
series of 2014, Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 10587, the
Civil Service Commission shall set the qualification standards for
environmental planners at various levels in government service,
including government-owned and controlled corporations and other
entities. After the lapse of five (5) years from the effectivity of the
new law, only registered and licensed environmental planners shall be
appointed to the position of heads and assistant heads of groups,
departments, divisions in government offices, agencies, bureaus or
instrumentalities including government-owned and controlled
corporations, provinces, cities and municipalities, and other positions
requiring the knowledge, skills, competence and qualifications of
registered and licensed environmental planners.

"Appointments made in violation of the R.A. 10587 and its IRR shall be considered null and void", the Board said.

Moreover, the Board of Environmental Planning reiterates the
prescribed period of three (3) years from the effectivity of R.A. 10587
to local government units who may continue to issue appointments to
persons who are not registered and licensed environmental planners for
the positions of national or local planning and development
coordinators, or chiefs of local planning and development offices, only
on a temporary status or acting capacity.